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(Modal.)

G. W. PRESSEY.

Velocipede.

No. 233,640. Patented Oct. 26, |880.

@Messrs I llNiTED STATES PATENT EETCE.

GEORGE lV. PRESSEY, OF HAMMONTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOURTH OF HIS RIGHT TO EDWIN L. OROVVELL, OF SAME PLACE.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,640, dated October 26, 1880.

Application led May 1, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE W. PEEssEY,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Hammonton, in the county of Atlantic and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Velocipedes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following` specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a side elevation of the velocipede embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged Views of the clutch mechanism of the velocipede in different positions. Fig. 4 is a detached view of a prop or staff for supporting the velocipede in an upright position.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to that class of velocipedes known as bicycles; and it consists zo in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the driving-wheel, which is located in the rear of the pilot or steering wheel B, to which it is connected by means of the reach C.

D represents the driver-s seat, which is mounted on the guard E and sustained by braces F, which rise from and are secured to the rear of the reach C.

Pivoted to the braces F are levers or treadles G, whose front ends carry foot-rests a, and project forward and upward in such manner that they may be conveniently reached by the feet of the rider occupying the seat for operating purposes.

The rear ends of the treadles are connected to clutch mechanism for the axle b of thehind wheel, each constructed as follows: To said axle b on the side of the hind wheel there is 4o secured a pulley', H, and on the axle is loosely fitted a clevis or yoke, J, to the rear end of which is pivoted a pawl, K, consisting of a band or annulus, c, which carries on its inner circumference a friction-block, d, the face e 4 5 whereof is adapted to engage with the periphery of the pulley H.

L represents a strap'connected to the circumference of the annulus c, and its ends extend in opposite directions, one being con- 5o nected to the rear end of the treadle G, and

(Model.)

the other to an arm, L', which is secured to the treadle in front ot the clutch mechanism.

Attached to the braces F and bearing against the treadles G are springs M, which in the present case are coiled and fitted on the axial pins of the treadles; but it is evident that in lieu thereof ilat springs may be employed, the object being to restore the treadles to their normal positions. N represents the forli of the front wheel, B, 6o

the axle of which is connected to the lower ends 4of said fork.

It will be seen that the fork extends perpendicularly to the pointf, where it has connected to it the turning-rod g, which, passing freely through bosses, eyes, or bearings at the forward end ot' the reach C, is set back or extends angularly from said point j', and carries at its upper end the handle or tiller h.

l) represents a spring, which is secured to 7o the front end of the reach 'C and bears against a shoulder on the top of the fork N, thus providing an elastic connection for the reach and front wheel, and making the riding easy and safe.

Q represents a prop or staff, whose upper end is hung on an arm, Q', which is pivoted to one ot' the braces F at top thereof. .Attached to said brace at a point below the arm Q is a rest, R, which is provided with ashoul- 8o der, k, it being noticed that the sta is adapted to be swung forward and backward, and likewise laterally, and thus supported on different sides of the rest It. By this provision the staff may be folded against the shoulder L, and held sufciently elevated from the ground so as not to interfere with the running of the velocipede; or the staff may be swung laterally and bear against the outer side of the rest, so that by slightly canting the velocipede 9o` the bottom of the staif touches the ground, and the velocipede is thereby supported in upright position-a provision whereby inexperienced riders and others are enabled to reach the seat withoutassistance.

It will be noticed that the rider occupies a position nearly central over the hind wheel, the foot-rests of the treadlc are within convenient reach of the feet of the rider, and the steering-rod of the fork lof the front wheel is roo set back and its upper end is readily accessible by the rider. By these means the rider sits more comforably, has the velocipede under greater control, and cannot trip or be thrown, and steers with ease.

The treadles are operated or depressed by the riders feet. This rotates the annulus c, and brin gs the friction-blocks d in contact with the pulleys H, and imparts rotation thereto, and consequently to the hind wheel, thus powerfully propelling the velocipede.

Secured to the annulus c, and projecting inwardly toward the pulley H, is a pin, m. When the annulus returns to its first position the pin m is carried against the pulley, and prevents the annulus from being pressed in against the shaft or axle.

It will be noticed that the annulus is connected to the yoke by a pivot at the outer end thereof, and when rotated by the strap receives somewhat of an eccentric motion. This, in one direction, brings the friction cam or block against the pulley and lifts the pin m from the same. In the other direction said frictionblock is raised clear of the pulley, while the pin is brought promptly against the pulley, for the purpose above set forth.

As the treadles return to their elevated or normal positions, the arms L draw the straps L after them, and thus rotate the annulus in the reverse direction and restore the frictionblocks to their normal position, it being noticed that said blocks in the return motion ride freely over thc periphery of the pulleys H. The operations of the treadles are continued, and thus the velocipede is propelled with great power.

lt will be seen that the treadles are depressed with ease, and they accommodate themselves to the size of' the limbs of the rider, as long and short throws of the treadles may be made. Furthermore, the employment of the treadles and clutches prevents the lateral swaying and lateral tendency of the vclocipede incident to cranks and rotary treadles, and thus the velocipede runs true and steady. The position of the seat and treadles on the hind wheel as the power-wheel and the coveringguard therefor permit the occupation and operation of the velocipede by females with their ordinary garments, and without inconvenience therefrom.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The front wheel, B, and reach C, in combination With spring P, which forms the only connection between said parts, except the guiding-rod.

2. A velocipede having a front steering- Wheel, B, hind driving-wheel, A, and treadlesA G, supported by a frame attached to the axle of wheel A and spring P, the front ends of said treadles being extended upward, substantially as set forth.

3. The friction-pulley H, fixed to the axle, in combination with the annulus c, carrying the friction-block d, and pivoted to the outer end of the yoke J, whose other end is fitted loosely on the axle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4c. In combination with the wheel A and its axle and the straps L, the three-armed treadle G, having foot-rest a, on its upper arm, the lever-arms being attached to said strap L, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the friction-clutch, of the three-pronged treadle G, conected to said clutch, and having at its axis a spring, M, whose ends are respectively attached to the treadle and frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The friction-clutch having its annulus c provided with a stop-pin, m, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The annulus 0 and blocks d, having pin m, in combination with yoke J, pivotally attached thereto, pulley H, and suitable operating devices, substantially as set forth.

8. The doubly-hinged prop Q, in combination with brace F and the block R, suitably recessed, substantially as set forth.

G. XV. PRESSEY.

Witnesses:

J oHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, A. P. GRANT. 

